Chivas coach Jose Manuel de la Torre faces an important early Apertura test against Cruz Azul this weekend.

It would be ridiculous to suggest that Chivas or Cruz Azul absolutely need to pick up three points in Estadio Omnilife on Sunday. After all, it's only week two of 17 regular season matches in the 2015 Liga MX Apertura.

Although it is so early in the campaign, both of the so-called "big four" clubs could already do with the morale-raising boost that the three points would bring.

The main reason to get excited about Chivas this season is that the outgoing players leave room for youngsters to get more opportunities in the first team.

Chivas' Under-20s and Under-17s have won multiple championships over the last few years and this could be their chance to step up. There is clearly talent in their ranks and the likes of Angel Zaldivar, David "Avion" Ramirez, Sergio Flores, Miguel Basulto and Daniel Rios will be hoping to get some decent first team minutes under their belts this...

GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- Santos Laguna overcame Chivas 3-0 on Sunday at the Estadio Omnilife to reach the Liga MX Clausura 2015 final, following the 0-0 draw in the first leg on Thursday.

Djaniny Tavares opened the scoring in the 38th minute, with Carlos Izquierdoz heading in the second in the 56th minute and Nestor Calderon launching a 40-yard wonder-strike over keeper Luis Michel in the 68th minute to wrap up a famous victory for the Torreon-based club.

GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- The sight of the world-class, yet often empty Estadio Omnilife over the last few years seemed to epitomize the state of the whole Chivas institution back before the Clausura 2015, when the club was sliding down the slippery slope towards relegation.

There was an illusion of grandeur on the outside, but inside was a rotten core. The idea of Chivas being a genuinely big club was latent, but without local fans buying into it and actually attending games in the stadium, it...

Jorge Tavares, right, of Santos battles with Jair Pereira of Guadalajara during their Liga MX Clausura semifinal first leg.

TORREON, Mexico -- There was a small dust storm and some thunder and lightning in the air, but no goals on Thursday as Santos Laguna tied 0-0 with Chivas in the Liga MX Clausura 2015 semifinal first leg.

Santos Laguna had the better of the play and chances, but the result leaves everything to play for on Sunday in Guadalajara in the Estadio Omnilife, especially with away goals counting.